Councillor Máire Hendron and Councillor Laura McNamee were speaking after Agriculture Minister Michelle O’Neill announced that £6 million will be spent to protect 1,700 homes from flooding in East Belfast.
Part of the money will be used to include flood alleviation works as part of the £32 million Connswater Community Greenway project.
Councillor Máire Hendron, Belfast group leader, said: “This is excellent news for East Belfast and will give comfort to many who live with the constant fear their homes could be destroyed by the next bout of heavy rain.
“I would urge everyone involved in implementing this scheme to work together, ensuring the preventative measures are put in place in a quick and effective manner. The people of East Belfast have put up with the situation long enough and they deserve to see immediate action.”
“This is also excellent news for the Connswater Community Greenway, a project which is set to bring many health benefits to local residents once completed. This new funding announcement will allow the project to complete major works, getting this part of the overall scheme back on track.
“I also want to praise work undertaken by Belfast City Council, which previously put in place interim alleviation measures in Orangefield Park. This was much appreciated by the residents of that area.”